Wellness Center FAQ

Not at all! Services are voluntary and students can self-refer to the Wellness Center by visiting during break or by asking their teacher for a pass. Staff and caregivers can also reach out to our team  to refer students.

Students can come to decompress for 10-15 minutes if they have difficulty managing strong feelings in class. Decompression time is an opportunity for students to practice coping skills on their own or with Wellness Team guidance. (Please refer to the 15 Minute Break FAQ for additional information). 

Students can reach out to our team via email or stop by to make an appointment, this way we can ensure staff availability. Mental health counseling is available during the school day.

Safety assessment and crisis support is also available if the student is experiencing a crisis.

Our team offers interventions that can support educational benefit for the student. These education-centered services center on addressing some of the socioemotional challenges and mental health needs that might be impacting the student's school functioning.

We strive to make the Wellness Center a calm, inviting, and safe space for students to decompress on their own or talk about their needs. We encourage students to schedule appointments to ensure one of our team members is available to meet with them. Students can come as walk-ins if they need immediate assistance during a crisis. 

Our team can meet with students individually to offer support around issues that might be impacting their functioning, such as stress, anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationships, family issues, and academic stress. It is important that students reach out to us to schedule individual appointments to help coordinate staff availability and student schedules.

The Wellness Team is an on-campus resource to assist students with managing social-emotional challenges that impact their school functioning. Our services center on offering school-based mental health services such as therapeutic interventions or mental health counseling during school hours to address behavior, social, and emotional issues impacting students.

Our services are not meant to replace mental health care for concerns beyond school-based functioning or severe mental health conditions. Clinical treatment for chronic or acute mental health needs can require a higher level of care. This often includes weekly meetings, longer sessions, provider collaboration with students and caregivers outside of school, and staff availability beyond school hours/the academic calendar.  Our team is happy to collaborate with outside providers and be part of a team that can support student mental health and recovery. 

If a student's mental health is impacting his/her education, the Wellness Center staff may collaborate with the school team.  Students who qualify for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) might be eligible to receive educationally related mental health services.

Yes, of course! The Wellness Center team centers on school-based mental health interventions to promote wellness and success in school domains (academic, social, athletic, etc.). We can collaborate with community providers as an adjunct support secondary to outpatient services. 

We are legally required to keep all information gathered during the course of services completely confidential.  However, there are legally mandated circumstances in which we are required to break confidentiality in order to protect students. Though rare, this includes concerns about a student being a danger to self, disclosure of potential danger to others, and/or identified intent to harm another student or adult.  

Additionally, suspicion of child physical, emotional or sexual abuse and neglect is also reportable, along with suspicion of elder physical, financial, or emotional abuse and neglect. For more information please refer to: CUSD Mental Health Support Services

We will take action to protect students by using emergency services or community resources, and contact caregivers as appropriate if safety concerns arise.  Other exceptions to confidentiality may include: Disclosures of sexual harassment, drug and alcohol use (possession or intoxication on campus), and possession of weapons, imitation firearms or other dangerous instruments on campus. (Board Policy Reference on weapons or other firearms).

We are mindful that the time a student spends at the Wellness Center means time away from class. Therefore we try to keep our sessions brief to ensure students are not missing out on important school obligations and instructional minutes. Students are responsible for letting teachers/staff know they are going to the Wellness Center and are expected to go back to class when completing a wellness visit.

The Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday during school hours. We offer services to students during school time as students often have additional obligations such as sports, clubs, academic commitments and/or transportation needs. We are closed during school breaks, summer and holidays. 

If you need mental health assistance or have an emergency please call 911 or your nearest emergency room. Also, consider reaching out to your mental health provider if you are working with one or call 988 if experiencing thoughts of suicide. For additional resources please go to Crisis Resources and More.

Students can self-initiate a referral. They can come by during free periods or breaks to schedule an appointment, and/or they can complete the Student Consultation Form.

 Students can also let the teacher know if they need to come to the Wellness Center to decompress and/or request a pass. Staff can submit a referral by completing our internal referral form found on our Wellness Center home page. Parents can initiate a referral by calling us at (831) 624-1821 ext. 2745.